I was approached by a client to update their company website to add photos from around 20 projects to the already existing gallery. A few challenges for this project included finding a gallery layout which had a visually appealing hierarchy, was easy to navigate by visitors, and allowed the client to add future content to the gallery which would update dynamically.

After researching various gallery programs with the client, they liked the look and function of Highslide JS. From my own personal experience, I recommended Google Picasa as the program that would allow them to upload photos, because it is easy to use and a powerful photo editing software with web album sync. The challenge was to take the Highslide javascript and combine it with the Google Picasa Web Albums API, so when the gallery is changed through the Picasa software on their computer it is automatically updated. To achieve this, I modified JavaScript Interface to Picasa Web Albums to populate the gallery with the code required to display the Highslide gallery.

The Room Optimizer is an idea for a simple software that helps you with furniture placement. It allows you to enter the room dimensions, outlet positions, and window locations of a floor plan then add the footprint of desired furniture with necessary constraints like viewing distance and power cord length. Once everything is entered the program can be started to make calculations based on a coordinate system that takes into account the user defined constraints, space saving practices, and proper clearances.

Room Optimizer Screenshot Sketch

The dashed lines represent the software system running through possible locations to find the best location. The dot and dashed line represents a constraint, in this case the two constraints are the viewing distance between the couch and tv stand and the lamp in relation to the power outlet.

I created this design in a few hours after finding out that my aunt inherited several hectares of land in one of the official tequila states in Mexico. On the property is the foundation of an old church which is protected from being torn down. With the foundation as a starting point, I designed a craft tequila distillery which highlighted the old church and fit the existing architectural style of the area.

While preparing to move into my new apartment, I was trying to figure out what to do with my bike since the closet near the door was not big enough. I also didn’t want to roll my bike through the living room with the wall to wall carpet requiring me to clean if I rode over something during a ride. I came up with the idea to make a set of covers which would go over the wheels and hold any dirt on the tires inside the covers.

These covers would be made out of strong fabric, like the kind used on backpacks. On either end there would be Velcro strips to connect the two ends around the circumference of the wheel. Then the two clips would be affixed to the string on the other end of the cover. Once connected, the cords on the sides would be tightened to close the cover around the tires allowing them to be rolled and stored without ruining the floor.

This idea came about during a meet and greet brunch for a summer program which was started to help students build a company. Before everyone departed, the man running the program told a story where his friend’s boat sank for an unknown reason. They found a shipping container floating in the near by area, there was probably some business anecdote related to this but I was too busy thinking of a product to solve it.

Background of Problem
There are over 10,000 shipping containers lost each year by the shipping industry during foul sea conditions. In these events containers can be lost by falling off the deck when the ship pitches and yaws. When overboard the containers can float below the surface and pose a navigational hazard for commercial and pleasure watercraft. The length of time which the container remains near the surface depends on the characteristics of the cargo which fills it. In some cases the cargo can remain just below the surface for several years while it travels the path of ocean currents. There have been several cases where ships have sustained damage due to colliding with shipping containers.

Summary of Concept
This system will alert mariners and shipping companies of shipping container hazards in the event of one being lost at sea. When activated the unit will broadcast a signal to a world wide satellite network that transmits the time and coordinates of the shipping container. This will then real time update an alert network for mariners so they can be aware of the hazards in their vicinity. This portion of the system can only give a rough location of the hazard. When the unit is activated it will deploy a radar reflecting balloon for maximum visibility from a distance. For night time a strobe will be used. This will allow the shipping container to be visible to radar equipped vessels and the human eye during both day and night. The entire system will be powered by battery and a solar power charger to allow for continuous satellite broadcasting and strobe flashes.

System Attached to Container

Device Standby State
While the device is in the shipping yard, on the cargo ship, or in transit via train or truck the unit will remain in a passive state. The sensors will have a fail safe that ensures the unit is not activated by the presence of moisture due to the elements. The unit will be attached to the shipping container on the side in an indent to prevent damage. The side is chosen so that the water can not accumulate around the device except when submerged.

The device will be able to remain in a hibernated state for one year and still function for 2 weeks without a charge.

Device Activation
If the container falls overboard it will become active when triggered by submersion in water. When the unit becomes active it will power up and begin emergency procedures. First a compressed cylinder will release carbon dioxide which will inflate a tube that surrounds the system electronics. The unit is ejected from its holder by the inflation process then floats to the surface. This unit is tethered to the container by a twenty foot braided steel cable. By tethering the system, it ensures the float reaches the surface when the container is at a dangerous depth.

After the device is inflated the strobe light on board is activated giving a 360 degree visual signal to mariners of the navigational hazard. The strobe light will be a light blue color which is not used for navigational aids, ensuring that it can be distinguished as a hazard.

At the same time the GPS begins to sync to the satellite network to determine its position. Once enough signals are fixed that an accurate position is achieved the unit will broadcast a container identification number, the current universal time, and the location of the container. The GPS transponder will continue to send the signal to the central server every fifteen minutes unit the container is recovered or sinks to a depth which does not pose a hazard.

Next a second smaller compressed gas tank, filled with helium will discharge and fill a Mylar balloon. This balloon will be in the shape of a radar reflector and will aid in the avoidance of the hazard via the use of radar.

Deployed and Active System

Device Electronics
The water trigger will be two normally open switches in the form of two copper leads. These will be placed in two separate locations of the container. When water comes between the two leads the current flows freely, the device will ensure the signal is constant on both switches by checking it for several seconds before going active.

The system will be equipped with lithium ion rechargeable batteries which can last for a minimum of two weeks in adverse conditions. To prolong the functional life of the unit, solar panels will be equipped to trickle charge the on board power when there is sun.

The unit will have three devices which transmit and receive signals. There will be a GPS device which determines the coordinates of the container and attached system. Secondly there will be a satellite transceiver which broadcasts the device information at the defined interval. Additionally there will be a RFID tag which allows for in port location of the container. All three units will share a common antenna

Device Identification
The unit can be equipped with a passive RFID tag which holds the universal container identification number. This will allow all electronics for the shipping container to be included in once device.

Device Housing
The unit will be contained in a clear waterproof container allowing light to reach the photovoltaic cells. All of the electronics to run the unit will be contained within the water proof housing. It will be waterproof to a depth of two hundred fifty feet which ensures that if it surfaces again it will be functional. The only components which will be outside of the main waterproof unit are the compressed gas cylinders. These will be controlled by the unit and attached via heavy duty waterproof connectors. The unit will resist the oxidation caused by the saltwater environment.

Device Flotation
There will be six compartments which comprise the float that are inflated using the compressed gas system. They will be inflated simultaneously and will have one way valves which allow for complete inflation. Six sections are used so that in the event that a float section is punctured the device will remain on the surface.

Hazard Network
The GPS locations of the lost containers will be uploaded to a central database. This database will store and upload the current navigational hazards to a network that informs mariners of containers floating in their area. This information can be sent to mariners existing electronics and added to the functionality of navigation systems.

Inventory Alert
The system will allow for instant alerts to be given to customers if a container goes overboard which contains their shipment. This ensures that the necessary arrangements can be made to minimize the financial loss associated with lost cargo.

This is a past idea transferred to the new website, it was conceived and designed in the Summer of 2009 then a preliminary patent was filed for the product concept on September 17, 2009.

I was working on a project and had a brand new brochure which kept closing when I went to type. This got old quickly so I started thinking about what could hold my brochure and other books open. Two potential problems were that some things obstruct the view of the information and the other is that the object did not weigh enough to keep the booklet open. This gave me the idea of having a weighted plastic clip with rubber protective grips to prevent damage to the pages. It is a pretty simple idea but would be very helpful in a situation where you need pages to stay open when you need your hands for something else.

This idea came about in Fall 2008 during a class assignment where I sketched what I envisioned for the new RIT Innovation Center. One challenge associated with the new center was that there was a finite amount of space where many projects would be in progress across several class periods and open lab time. This required dynamic lab furniture that would provide working surfaces and allow projects to be stored when they were not being worked on.

Storage Unit Closed

The Building Block Folding Storage concept is stylized like a giant plastic building block to fit the motif of a workspace created for design and fabrication of new and innovative concepts. It stands on its side to have a minimal footprint and save space when not in use. When someone works on a project, the storage unit is opened by pulling the face of the block down. Inside is a sturdy work surface with 6 storage bins underneath that rotate so the contents remain in the same orientation. This prevents damage to the contents as the storage unit is opened and closed.

Within the last month, there has been two Tornado Warnings issued in the area that I live. When this happens the first thing that I do is go have a look to see if there is a visible cyclone. I started thinking about what it would be like just before a tornado hit. Primarily, how much visual warning there would be in the suburbs with all the houses and trees around. Would you see it with enough time to collect your pets or would it be too late by the time you realized you’re in its path?

This situation gave me an idea on how to more effectively track the path of a tornado in moderately and densely developed areas. The system would have 3 components, a radio transceiver, a wind/weather sensor, and a battery powered control system. The radio and sensor would be installed on the roof of a house and the controller would be installed with easy access inside similar to a digital thermostat.

System Controller

In the event of severe weather being detected by the sensor, the system would send out precise coordinates where the severe weather is. This signal would then be transmitted and received by the other units in the area with a message showing the current location and path of the twister. This would give the user the direction and distance that the tornado is from them so they can take appropriate action. It would also have an alarm which would signal the household of the impending hazard. Effective adoption of the device would create a sensor mesh which would communicate with the individual units providing a more accurate detection system then Doppler radar.

The Laundry is Done! Magnet and Bag provides a practical solution to crowded laundry rooms at colleges and apartment complexes. Since there is a high volume of people doing laundry and only a few machines there can be issues when people are late to collect their belongings.

Laundry is Done! Magnet and Bag with Placard Options

The concept is a bag made out of recyclable materials with a whiteboard or custom name placard affixed to the flap, with a magnet on the back. This will give the individual who needs to use the machine the contact information for the person whose laundry is finished, so they can be contacted to get their stuff. If they are extremely late and non responsive to the message the bag is hanging right their so their stuff can be removed to free up the machine.

Initially, the bag comes with the whiteboard placard and marker to easily be written on. The customer will have the option to design their own custom name placard on the associated website which can replace the whiteboard. This will have a number of text and graphics options to personalize as the customer sees fit. Another option available with the name placard for privacy is to have a text message number and code to alert the person their laundry is finished.

Beach Pong is a game which can be played by 2, 4 or more people in desired teams and is a combination of Horseshoes and Beer Pong. Each team has 6 buckets on their side which are shaped like plastic drink cups. The goal of the game is to throw the ball into the opposing team’s buckets removing them from play, at which point the water contained in the bucket is dumped over the opposition team member of choice. The game is won when the opposite team has no more buckets left. This is a family oriented outdoor game meant for the late spring, summer, and early fall.

Ball Sketch

The Equipment
To play the game, 12 buckets, 2 balls, and a water source are needed. In addition a weather proof set of rules and a bucket spacer is included to make game play easier.

The game will be packaged in two different methods, a complete set and individually.

Bucket Sketch

The complete set includes everything needed to play, 12 buckets, 2 balls, 2 bucket spacers, and rules. The individual set will include 6 buckets, 1 ball, 1 bucket spacer, and rules. The individual set will combine together to be an easy to carry game.

The buckets should be rigid enough to withstand the impact of the ball. The ball should be somewhat elastic to allow for bouncing where the ground allows for it.

The Setup
The front buckets will be placed 10ft apart and placed in a triangular formation similar to bowling pins. Unlike horseshoes the entire team is on one side behind their buckets.

Playing Area Sketch

The Rules
-The players must stay behind the last bucket on their side when shooting.
-If a bucket is knocked over for any reason it is out of play.
-There is no touching of the ball while it is in the air, if the ball hits the ground it is fair game to block.

How to Play
To determine who begins the game one player from each team throws the ball at the same time. Whoever sinks the ball goes first, if both balls are sunk at the same time it must be redone. If there is only one player per team they are thrown again by the same person, if there are multiple people on a team then a new player from each team must throw the ball until the first person is up again. This continues until someone wins and the team who shoots first is decided. This is only used to determine who shoots first, these buckets are not removed from play. The team who shoots first can be decided by a coin toss, rock, paper, and scissors, etc. so long as both teams agree upon a method.

After determining who shoots first the buckets are placed in the desired format depending on the game. The most common way is the triangle format, with three in the back, two in the middle, and one up front. The team that starts play throws their two balls, trying to get their shot into one of the other team’s buckets. If two balls are sunk in the same turn the other team loses their turn and the balls are returned for two more shots. There is no limit to this rule, and with enough skill the game could be won in 6 shots, which is highly unlikely. If one or no shots were made during a team’s turn then the balls are given to the other team and they are given the opportunity to shoot. Any throwing technique may be used however it is not allowed to throw the ball at the buckets in an effort to knock them over.

There are several ways buckets can be removed from play, sinking a ball or accidentally knocking them over. When a ball is made into a bucket the team who shot it is given the opportunity to pour the water in the bucket on the player of choice.

When the last of the team’s buckets is sunk, the opposing team is given a chance to take the game into overtime, called rebuttal. The only way to ensure the other team is not given a chance at rebuttal is sink two buckets or both balls in one bucket, the last bucket is never removed from play. When this happens the team who has rebuttal is given both balls to shoot, if they make a shot they are given the ball back, if they miss the shot it is out of play. They continue until they run out of balls to shoot or they sink the other team’s buckets taking the game into overtime.

Overtime consists of the same game concept except 3 buckets are used instead of 6. The team who sank the final bucket before rebuttal shoots first. The same rules apply and the goal is still to remove the opposing team’s buckets from play. There is no limit to the number of overtimes which can occur in a game.

How to Win
The game ends when one set of buckets are completely removed from play. It can also be won if two balls are sunk in the same bucket during the same round. This makes it very important to remove the bucket from play as soon as the other team gets a ball into it.

This is a past idea transferred to the new website, it was conceived in the spring of 2008 and designed into a product concept on June 15, 2009.